Most people know Bents as a garden centre. Fewer know that the same site has an adventure golf course set among life-sized dinosaurs, an undercover beach, ancient woodland walks, one of Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction, seven places to eat, and an events calendar that runs from chair yoga to candlelit concerts.
That’s Destination Bents. This guide covers what’s here, what’s on across the year, and how to plan a visit that’s worth the drive.
Attractions at Bents
The attractions are free-standing reasons to visit, and they’re what turn a shopping trip into a day out.
Jurassic Cove Adventure Golf
A family attraction that works for all ages, setting golfers in an ancient world surrounded by life-sized animatronic and static dinosaurs. It’s the closest thing to a proper day-out anchor on site, and the Jurassic Cove Golf Café sits right alongside it.
The Beach
Recently moved to a new spot and now undercover, next door to Jurassic Cove and the Golf Café. Somewhere to sit with a coffee while younger children get on with the sand, whatever the weather is doing.
Children’s Play Area
An adventure play area aimed at ages 3 to 10, positioned next to the outside decking so you can have a coffee and cake within sight of it.
Walk in the Woods
Windy Bank Wood was established on former farmland and offers quiet walks through the edges of ancient peatland, open meadow and newly created woodland. Popular with dog walkers, cyclists and families, and a genuine change of pace from the shop floor.
Weeping Ash Garden
One of only 29 Cheshire Gardens of Distinction, created by retired nurseryman John Bent and designed for tranquil, carefully composed planting. Worth an hour on its own if you like gardens.
Where to Eat
Seven dining destinations, all serving food made here rather than bought in, which means you can plan a whole day without leaving.
- The Fresh Approach Restaurant: Homemade hot and cold food from breakfast through to an evening meal, with a breakfast menu running from granola and pancakes to a full English.
- Caffé nel Verde: Barista coffee and home-baked cake, looking onto the Open Skies Glass House.
- Tapas at Bents: Spanish-influenced small plates next to the wine-tasting area in the Food Hall.
- The Pet Café: Light breakfasts until 11am, sandwiches, salads and home bakes, with your dog alongside you.
- Alfresco Terrace: Signature homemade fish and chips, plus an artisan pizza van.
- Jurassic Cove Golf Café: Sandwiches, home bakes and refreshments with lakeside views by the play area.
- Ice Cream Dessert Bar: Ice cream, Belgian-style waffles, sundaes and deluxe hot chocolates.
Reservations aren’t needed in the restaurants, with one exception: Afternoon Tea should be booked at least 48 hours ahead.
Dining opening times: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 7:30pm, Saturday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Sunday 9am to 4pm. Last orders are 30 minutes before closing.
Events at Bents
The events programme is the part that surprises people. It runs all year and covers far more ground than you’d expect from a garden centre. Here’s the shape of it.
Live Music and Evening Events
Bents hosts a proper evening entertainment programme. Recent and upcoming names include An Exclusive Evening with Russell Watson, An Evening of Rat Pack, and the Candlelight series covering Wonderwall by Candlelight, Regency Romance by Candlelight and Christmas by Candlelight. Swing High Tea pairs live music with afternoon tea if you’d rather an afternoon than an evening.
Family Days Out and Children’s Activities
Dinosaurs in the Hidden Garden and Children’s Summer Crafting cover the school holidays. Babies that Brunch and Tiny Tots Christmas Party are aimed at the youngest visitors. Spooky Family Tea handles Halloween, and the Children’s Chocolate Making Workshop runs alongside the adult version.
Creative Workshops
Chocolate Making, Amalfi Sip & Paint, Paint it Bold, Ceramic Pumpkin Painting, Festive Bauble Painting, the Christmas Textured Painting Workshop, the Autumn Wreath Workshop, the Gingerbread House Workshop and a Creative Writing Workshop all appear across the year. These make good gifts as well as good afternoons.
Wellbeing and Movement
A regular programme covering Tai Chi and Evening Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Sound Bath Sessions and Rest, Reiki & Sound Circle. For something more sociable, there are Salsa Dance Lessons and a Latin Dance Workshop.
Dog-Friendly Events
Dogs are welcome at Bents, and there’s a programme built around them: Dog Breed Walks, Puppy Play, a Puppy Training Course, the PetMedics Weight Clinic, and Santa Paws at Christmas. Combined with The Pet Café and the woodland walks, it makes Bents a straightforward dog-friendly day out. Full dog policy here.
Markets and Community Days
Artisan Markets with Independent Street, Meet the Makers, Antique Valuation Day and the Bucket List Holidays Event bring something different to the site on the day.
Browse the full events listing and book →
Christmas at Bents
Christmas is the season Bents is best known for, and it has its own set of events on top of the Christmas department.
The Magic Lamp in the Hidden Garden is a winter light trail. Festive Family Breakfast and Festive Family Tea with Father Christmas cover the traditional visit, with Tiny Tots Christmas Party for younger children and Santa Paws for dogs. Christmas Preview gives you an early look at the season, Jingle & Chat and Christmas by Candlelight fill out the evening programme, and the Gingerbread House, Festive Bauble Painting and Christmas Textured Painting workshops run through the run-up.
Festive events sell out, several of them well before December, so it’s worth booking from autumn rather than checking in the second week of December.
Visiting When the Weather Turns
Most of Bents is under cover, including The Beach, which makes it a practical option on a wet day. The dining, the shopping, the seasonal departments and the majority of events run whatever the weather. If you’re looking for something to do in Cheshire on a washed-out weekend, it’s a useful one to have in mind.
Planning Your Visit
- Booking: Some events are drop-in and others need tickets in advance. Workshops and festive experiences go early, so check before travelling.
- Timing: Lunchtime is busy, particularly at weekends and during major events. Arriving early or eating later makes for a calmer visit.
- Parking: Free and on site.
- Dogs: Welcome, with The Pet Café and the woodland walks alongside the dog-friendly events. Check the dog policy for where they can go.
- Be Inspired: Our loyalty membership and the Bents app are worth having if you visit regularly.
- Finding us: Warrington Road, Glazebury, Warrington, WA3 5NT. Just off the A580 East Lancs Road, within easy reach of Warrington, Leigh, Wigan, St Helens and Manchester. Call us on 01942 266300.
Plan Your Next Visit
Between the attractions, the dining and an events calendar that changes through the year, there’s usually a reason to come back — and rarely the same one twice.
Take a look at what’s coming up, or come and see us and our team will point you in the right direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What events are on at Bents?
Bents runs a year-round programme covering live music and evening events, family activities, creative workshops, wellbeing sessions, dog-friendly events and seasonal markets. The full listing is on the Bents events page.
Do I need to book Bents events in advance?
Most events are ticketed and should be booked ahead. Festive experiences and workshops in particular sell out early.
Is Bents a good day out for families?
Yes. Jurassic Cove Adventure Golf, The Beach, the children’s play area and woodland walks sit alongside a family events programme, seven places to eat and free parking.
Is Bents dog friendly?
Yes. There’s a Pet Café, woodland walks on site, and a programme of dog-focused events including Dog Breed Walks, Puppy Play and Santa Paws.
Is there much to do at Bents if it rains?
Most of the site is under cover, including The Beach, so dining, shopping, the seasonal departments and the majority of events run whatever the weather.
Do I need to book to eat at Bents?
No, except for Afternoon Tea, which should be booked at least 48 hours in advance.
Where is Bents?
Warrington Road, Glazebury, Warrington, WA3 5NT, just off the A580 East Lancs Road.